The yield of pyrolysis oil, especially in fast pyrolysis processes, can range from 65% to 80% of the dry biomass feedstock.
This yield is achieved under specific conditions, including high heating rates, carefully controlled pyrolysis temperatures, and rapid cooling of the products.
The process is optimized to produce a maximum amount of bio-oil, which is a complex mixture of oxygenated hydrocarbons and typically contains 20-30 wt-% water.
What is the yield of pyrolysis oil? (5 Key Factors Explained)
1. Process Conditions for High Yield
Fast pyrolysis is designed to maximize the production of bio-oil.
This is achieved by maintaining high heating rates and heat transfer rates, controlling the pyrolysis temperature precisely, and ensuring rapid cooling of the products.
The residence time at the pyrolysis temperature is kept very short, usually less than one second, to prevent over-decomposition of the bio-oil molecules into gases.
2. Temperature Effects on Yield
The temperature at which pyrolysis occurs significantly affects the yield of bio-oil.
Low temperatures (up to about 650°C) are preferred to maximize the yield of condensable vapors, with about 70% of the biomass weight potentially being obtained as liquid.
Conversely, high temperatures (above 700°C) favor gas yields, with about 80% of the biomass being converted to combustible gas.
3. Composition of Pyrolysis Oil
Pyrolysis oil is a complex mixture primarily composed of oxygenated hydrocarbons.
It also contains a significant proportion of water, which includes both the original moisture from the biomass and water produced during the reaction.
The presence of water in the range of 20-30 wt-% is typical and can vary depending on the specific conditions and methods used in the pyrolysis process.
4. Comparison with Other Fuels
The energy content of bio-oil collected during pyrolysis is approximately 40 MJ kg-1.
This is comparable to other commercially produced fuels such as crude oil, diesel, and petrol, which contain 45.5 MJ kg-1, 45.8 MJ kg-1, and 46.6 MJ kg-1, respectively.
This similarity in energy content makes bio-oil a viable alternative fuel source.
5. By-Products and Utilization
In addition to bio-oil, pyrolysis also produces non-condensable gases and a carbon-rich residue known as char.
The char can be utilized as a soil enhancer, providing nutrients to the soil and improving crop yield.
This by-product can also be sold to the agricultural sector, contributing to cost recovery in the pyrolysis process.
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